Economic Development Officer

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Economic Development Officer in the Economic Development and Tourism Services division.

Job description

The Economic Development Officer (EDO) is responsible for providing business support as well as marketing the Chatham-Kent community in order to achieve its mandate to encourage new investment, growth, and jobs in our local economy. Economic Development Officer’s support Economic Development Services’ by engaging in different types of activities including:
1. Undertaking Business Retention and Expansion activities in the Agricultural; Manufacturing; Municipalities, Universities, Schools & Hospitals (MUSH); Information and Communication Technology; Real Estate; Small Business and other sectors as required to enhance the economic well-being and resiliency of the community.

2. Playing a key role in organizing and delivering the services of the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre including collaboration, reporting and community outreach as well as being responsible for the effective delivery to clients of the programs funded by the Province of Ontario as well as other funding partners.

3. Engaging with prospective companies or their representation to showcase Chatham-Kent as a desirable place to conduct business. The Investment Attraction portfolio includes collecting information necessary to a prospective investment, presenting a business case for businesses to invest, making necessary stakeholder connections as well as providing on-boarding supports to ensure a smooth transition into our community.

4. Providing concierge services to new and existing companies in Chatham-Kent. Concierge Services include engaging in intergovernmental relations, mentorship, having an understanding of current programs and services available to support employers, providing advisory services, and leveraging relationships within the business community to assist employers as well as municipal partners to achieve their goals.

5. Actively engaging and entrenching Economic Development Services into the business community to achieve its mandate.

As Ambassadors of the Municipality, EDO’s participate in industry associations, sit on committees, have frequent interactions with business leaders and members of Council, as well as remain relevant by maintaining a personal presence through traditional media sources and/or multiple social media platforms with fresh content. EDO’s additionally organize events, workshops, webinars, and seminars that are suited to the needs Chatham-Kent business community or promote local businesses.

6. Assisting the Municipality and employers with value-added projects that advance the CK Plan 2035, Economic Development Services, as well as enhance our understanding of municipal service delivery in our community.

Economic Development Officers play a large role in leveraging community assets by using their knowledge to inform Council, Administration, and members of the public on matters that reinforce the economic well-being of the community as a whole. EDOs leverage their relationships and knowledge of economic principles to inform and recommend policy changes to support the Economic Development Strategic Plan and economic well-being of the Chatham-Kent community.

Essential responsibilities

Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies.

Identify opportunities for economic growth and take action to improve the local business environment. Support business retention and expansion activities through frequent interaction with community business leaders and address their concerns directly with actionable solutions.

Provide virtual and in-person coaching, mentorship, and advice to clients that are developing business plans including industry-specific competitive analysis, economic analysis, marketing strategies, human resources, health and safety, and financial research.

Assist businesses with obtaining Master Business Licenses, HST #’s, and any municipal licensing requirements.

Maintaining knowledge of and offering government grants and various programs that periodically become available.

Prepare accurate and complete monthly, semi-annual and annual reports for the Province of Ontario and other funding agencies, entering and auditing monthly metrics and data into identified software platforms and ensuring all deadlines and requirements are met.

Contribute to the development of funding agreements with identified agencies or ministries, including the development of program targets, strategic plans for the delivery of program services, review of accuracy of all documentations, and implementation of delivery and reporting standards.

Ability to research, gather, analyze and interpret information to support Investment attraction efforts and provide market research for Economic Development Services and local employers.

Coordinate and support regional initiatives which progressively encourage sector and cluster dev